Hygiene and biosecurity protocols reduce infection prevalence but do not improve fledging success in an endangered parrot

Emerging Infectious Diseases(EIDs) are recognised as global extinction drivers of threatened species. Unfortunately, biodiversity managers have few tested solutions to manage them when often the desperate need for solutions necessitates a response. Here we test in situ biosecurity protocolsto assess the efficacy of managing Psittacine beakand feather disease(PBFD), one of the most common and emergent viral diseasesin wild parrots ( Psittaciformes) that is currently affecting numerous threatened speciesglobally. In response to an outbreak of PBFD in Mauritius “echo” parakeets( Psittacula eques), managers implemented a set of biosecurity protocolsto limit transmission and impact of Beakand featherdisease virus (BFDV). Here we used a reciprocal design experiment on the wild population to test whether BFDV management reduced viral prevalence and viral load, and improved nestling body condition and fledgesuccess. Whilst management reduced the probability of nestling infection by approximately 11% there was no observed impact on BFDV load and nestling body condition. In contrast to expectations there was lower fledgesuccess in nests with added BFDV biosecurity(83% in untreated vs. 79% in treated nests). Our results clearly illustrate that management for wildlife conservationshould be critically evaluated through targeted monitoring and experimental manipulation, and this evaluation should always focus on the fundamental objective of conservation.